Blogs

Acupuncture is becoming an increasingly popular treatment choice but many people still don’t understand its place in modern, western medicine. Have you ever wondered how it works? What it feels like? Or which conditions it can help? Physiotherapist and acupuncturist Lizzie Handley explains the benefits and misconceptions of acupuncture. What is acupuncture and how does…

Feeling under the weather and run down? Maybe you feel a little more tired than normal, maybe you are coming down with a cold? Sometimes the cold weather at this time of year can really make you feel down and unwell. It is important that in these temperatures you look after yourself. The GP’s and…

A lot of people talk about how your body’s mobility and flexibility are important, and some people when injured come to realise how effective it is on your performance if these are one of your main focuses of training. But do YOU understand why it is important and HOW it can affect your performance? Sometimes…

Are you skiing this year? Do you hope to have the best season yet, here are some tips from Function Jigsaw, Tom Heeley. Things not to miss and things not to forget. Build up strength Prior to your trip make sure you complete some simple exercises to improve your fitness and reduce the risk…

Foam Rolling and Stretching Advice What should I do before physical activity? Should I stretch or foam roll? What is the difference? Some people are unsure of what things should be done as a warm-up, how to cool down correctly, what should be done on recovery days and what to even do at all when…

Amateur runner Martin Hulbert is preparing for the London Marathon in April. Here, in his fourth guest blog about his training, he juggles getting some serious miles in his legs with his wife’s birthday, a trip to London and some toast!

So how important is your hamstring strength, writes Lauren Dobson? Have you previously, or do you currently suffer with a knee injury, weak knees or recurring knee pain? A strength imbalance between your hamstrings and quads increases your risk of injuries, such as muscle strains and ligament sprains especially around the knee joint. The anatomy….…

By Lauren Dobson There is an old saying knocking around that goes: ‘No Pain, No Gain’. Regrettably, some athletes misinterpret this and believe it means that any uncomfortable sensation can be worked through. Pushing through fatigue, muscle soreness and muscle pain is one thing. Understanding how hard to push yourself without causing any problems, is…

The Active Roller is ideal to loosen any knots that can be found in the gluteus maximus (backside) and can also help alleviate lower back pain. This short and easy-to-do workout can really help free you up before or after exercise.

Drill 1: Squatting This is a fundamental movement skill. As children and babies we all squat, crawl and lunge but due to the demands of work and injuries through life, we lose the ability and mobility to execute these drills correctly, writes Tom Heeley. The stretches and drills I will examine in this set of blogs will…

Everybody needs a break in the off-season, whatever your chosen sport and whatever level you play at, writes Lauren Dobson. But when you return to action, what are the best ways to prepare yourself for the new season?

By Lauren Dobson It has crept up on us extremely quickly but marathon season has arrived. Most of the marathon athletes are panicking because they’ve not done enough training, are not feeling very confident and are cramming in the last few long runs in before the rest needed on the run up to the…

By Tom Heeley Organisation You will be nervous and excited on the morning of your marathon, so you want to avoid any extra stress. Get all your race kit laid out the night before and make sure you know how and when you are going to get to the start area. Check parking or public…

Understanding the warm-up is a vitally important first step for any athlete no matter what the sport. The aims of the warm-up are to prepare the participants to perform efficiently and effectively and to reduce the risk of injury.

By Max Hartman If you’re heading out to the slopes this season to ski or snowboard, you can reduce your chances of injury and maximise your time on snow with these top tips. 1) Get strong: If you’re looking to head out to ski or board this January or February, it’s well worth getting into the…